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There is no reason not to be optimistic about how New York Jets GM John Idzik has started his career here. However, the next couple of weeks are going to present him with numerous critical decisions that will shape both the 2013 roster and the team’s future beyond the upcoming season. Let’s take a position by position look and make a few predictions on what could be on the way.

Idzik also needs to decide what to do with that TEBOW fella. Considering Tebow is an asset (even an extremely low valued one) and Idzik has shown he is patient, look for the Jets to wait until a few weeks after the draft before releasing Tebow, if they can’t find a trade partner by that point. They are likely waiting to see how the draft shakes out for them and other potentially quarterback needy teams.

Running Back – All eyes will be on a potential trade for Chris Ivory leading up to the Draft. If the Jets can get Ivory for a 4th or 5th round pick, it would be very good value for a player who can immediately start for them. If the Jets don’t pull the trigger, they could focus on mid-round prospects like Christine Michael or Le’Veon Bell. Regardless, it doesn’t appear they are satisfied with a Mike Goodson/Bilal Powell platoon. The trade for Ivory almost makes too much sense for it not to occur.

Wide Receiver – The Jets need to add another player or two here. Depending on if they acquire an extra pick or two, it will be interesting to see how early they address their need in the Draft. A veteran could be added at some point post-draft but it would be surprising if the Jets didn’t leave next weekend with at least one new wide receiver.

Tight End – A “must” position to be addressed in the Draft, potentially very early. Keep an eye on Zach Ertz or Travis Kelce. The Jets badly need to improve their depth here, meaning a draft pick and a bargain bin veteran could be added before the summer.

Offensive Line – Guard wouldn’t be a sexy first round pick but there remains a decent chance the Jets could consider Chance Warmack or Jonathan Cooper with the 9th overall pick. Either player could start from day one and could help give the Jets one of the better run blocking offensive lines in football. If a Guard isn’t taken Thursday night, it will be addressed at some point during the Draft. Brandon Moore and Stephen Peterman both remain free agents and could always be added post-draft if the team is uncomfortable with their depth.

Defensive Line – There has been some chatter about the Jets and North Carolina DT Sylvester Williams in the NFL Draft, which could make you think the team isn’t exceptionally high on third year player Kenrick Ellis. It would be surprising if the Jets didn’t add another piece to their defensive line rotation via the Draft or free agency at some point, but it doesn’t seem likely they’d spend a pick before the third round in this area.

Linebacker – If there was one player you could say was the safest guess for the Jets to take at 9 right now, it would be Barkevious Mingo. It is wide open but Mingo seems the most logical choice because of his skill-set and the Jets draft position. This team isn’t done adding outside linebackers despite bringing Calvin Pace back and it wouldn’t be shocking if they drafted two over the course of draft weekend.

Secondary – REVIS. REVIS. REVIS. The biggest decision Idzik faces is how to handle Darrelle Revis in the coming days. Does he pull the trigger before the Draft or will he remain patient into the summer? It legitimately seems like there is a 50/50 chance a deal is done in the next week at this point, if it goes through it could change the team’s entire approach to Draft weekend.

The team is also likely to draft a safety in the first three rounds. Keep an eye on Matt Elam and DJ Swearinger in particular.

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Author: Joe Caporoso

Joe Caporoso is the Owner and EIC of Turn On The Jets. His writing has been featured in the New York Times, Huffington Post, MMQB and AdWeek. Caporoso played football his entire life, including four years at Muhlenberg as a wide receiver, where he was arguably the slowest receiver to ever start in school history. He is the VP of Social Media at Whistle Sports
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The only reason Mingo is a “safe” choice is because no one else in the Top 10 wants him/is linked to him. He should be around #13 if we get that pick. There is no guarantee that NO takes him over J. Jones at #15. We can probably trade down and get him. The only way there is a demand for him in the Top 15 is if teams know something we do not, as with Bruce Irvin. He does not seem to be a steal at #9, and I do not believe that at this point you can honestly construct a big board with Mingo higher than #9.

I can picture him having a blast betting with Rex on how many sacks he gets in a game, but there likely will be better players than him available at #9. He seems like a great kid, but is his personality really worth the #9 pick?

I am also going to come out and hold Idzik to account. If the trade to TB does not go through before the draft, I will take that to mean that either a) Idzik wants to sign a deal with Revis, or b) TB did not offer adequate compensation for Revis. If Revis, still with the Jets, gets out on the field and cannot play like he used to, it will be Idzik’s buttfumble from being overly cautious.

Unless he then manages to sign Revis for $6 million/yr.

Mark Phelan

Reshaping the offense is Idzik’s challenge.

How best to reduce the turnovers and 3-and-outs which put added pressure on the defense. How to eliminate turnovers on the Special Teams receiving and getting more than a fair catch to improve field condition on punt returns?

Giving Sanchez more time by improving the OL, TE and RB who can pick up a blitz would help. Giving him a tall, tough go-to receiver (Edwards) would help. And adding someone who can give us 5+ yards on a punt return would also help.

The sorry truth is that we will not have a ‘franchise’ level QB for at least 2 years. Lets get the pieces in place to improve Sanchez now and pave the way for a smooth replacement down the road.

Mark Phelan

Reshaping the offense is Idzik’s challenge.

How best to reduce the turnovers and 3-and-outs which put added pressure on the defense. How to eliminate turnovers on the Special Teams receiving and getting more than a fair catch to improve field condition on punt returns?

Giving Sanchez more time by improving the OL, TE and RB who can pick up a blitz would help. Giving him a tall, tough go-to receiver (Edwards) would help. And adding someone who can give us 5+ yards on a punt return would also help.

The sorry truth is that we will not have a ‘franchise’ level QB for at least 2 years. Lets get the pieces in place to improve Sanchez now and pave the way for a smooth replacement down the road.

GC

Im curious about the commentary regarding Ivory and in a way Goodson.

I think both are excellent backs, especially considering they each complement each other well. That being said, Im surprised at the ease with which we are throwing aside powell.

If we are talking a back that really does everything well – catches the ball, pass protects and can run between the tackles, doesnt powell deserve one legit shot to be our guy?

His flashes last year were against teams that knew we had zero passing game, but in particular knew we NEVER used screen passes, so stopping the run was very easy.

I know the TOJ site was very high on powell last year, do you guys stil think he can be the guy here – and we are better off saving a pick for Ivory and using it on another position?

Joe Caporoso

I do like Powell but liked him more as a quicker, cheaper version of Shonn Greene. The Jets were smart to let Greene walk because Powell could do everything he did, except slightly better and at a lower cost. Powell has a decent all-around game but is probably best suited to be a #2 back or a spot starter. He lacks the god-given, physical talent of Ivory or Goodson. That being said, considering Goodson and Ivory’s durability questions, it is smart to keep Powell on the roster for depth purposes because he is more than capable of stepping in and being a competent starter if necessary.